Latest news, alerts, and events.
Latest news, alerts, and events.
By now, I hope you have seen the new page on our website, where we are tracking the impacts of federal funding so that you can have a one-stop trusted source of information. There you will find the latest federal and Alaska updates, resources, and a link to our partner, the National Council of Nonprofits. NCN is tracking executive orders and their impact on the nonprofit sector and is also the lead plaintiff in one of the lawsuits stopping the freeze of federal funds to nonprofits, tribes, and local governments. We are grateful, too, to be part of a network of state nonprofit associations that is looking out for the sector in their states and generously sharing their tools for helping nonprofits understand and manage our current operating environment.
It turns out we could not have had better timing with our newly released report, Alaska’s Nonprofit Sector: Generating Economic Impact, where we lay out the ways federal funding is woven throughout our work and is a critical part of our economy. No other state relies more on federal funds than Alaska. Look no further than our report to understand the role of federal funds in our work. If you want to hear more about this, check out Foraker’s testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on February 3.
Since we know the big picture, we also wanted to hear directly from our Partners in the field. Early last week, as the threat of funding freezes seemed inevitable, we launched a quick survey to learn more about their immediate impact. The survey was open from January 28-30 and received 152 responses that came from rural and urban Alaska nonprofits, tribes, and businesses, and from missions that represent the lifespan of Alaskans, from infants to seniors. You can read a summary of the results here. The results begin to show us the true story, that regardless of how anyone voted, every Alaskan will feel the impact of these decisions.
Last week, we also launched a second survey to get a better understanding of federal funding impacts. The survey is still open, and we encourage you to add your experiences to it. Once the data is analyzed, we look forward to sharing it not only with you but with our congressional delegation and state legislators, as we need them to stand up for all Alaskans and the essential work we are doing.
While the court has put a temporary stay on any freezing, pausing, or retrenchment of funding, we know that some organizations are still waiting for past due funds, and others are living in fear and confusion with memos and requested information demanding justification for funding. We also know that the mass firing of federal employees and the deletion of important content on federal websites are impacting our ability to gather information, access data, and process funding requests. Federal employees constitute a large portion of Alaska’s workforce, and we also recognize that these are our neighbors, our friends, and our family.
We have moved quickly as your partner and from a place of knowledge and strength. We have held true to our values and stayed in our lane. All that said, let me acknowledge that all our work (Foraker’s and likely yours, too) has been disrupted at some level, either because we are worried and scared or because the actual work of responding has shifted our attention. I am reminding our team and, if helpful, all of you that every day the response we can offer to this unprecedented time is to do the best we can with where we are. Stand for your mission, use your voice, and stay true to your work.
What’s next?
Our focus remains on protecting and serving the sector. We will keep the federal updates coming and help missions navigate shifts in compliance requirements and recommendations so that you can continue your essential work.
Take action that will make a difference
Sometimes, we just feel better if we can “do something.” Here are eight steps you can take that will make a difference:
We are standing with you until we come out whole on the other side. Together, we will defend and protect the sector alongside our partners. We can do this together.
Thankful to be in this work with all of you.
Laurie